Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is one of the most iconic tragedies in world literature. Set in the Italian city of Verona, the play tells the story of a passionate and forbidden love between two young individuals from feuding families-the Montagues and the Capulets. Through a plot driven by desire, conflict, and fate, Shakespeare explores themes of youth, impulsiveness, and the devastating consequences of inherited hatred. Since its debut in the 16th century, Romeo and Juliet has moved generations with the poetic beauty of its language, the emotional depth of its characters, and its heartbreaking conclusion. The play has been adapted countless times-in theatre, film, music, and dance-and remains a cultural symbol of romantic love taken to its tragic extreme. The enduring relevance of Romeo and Juliet lies in its portrayal of love's intensity and human vulnerability, as well as its critique of societal divisions that destroy what should unite. Its message about the fragility of life and the urgency of love continues to resonate powerfully across time and cultures.

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in world literature. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, Shakespeare is renowned for his unmatched ability to capture the complexity of human nature and explore universal themes such as power, love, betrayal, fate, and identity. His vast body of work - including tragedies, comedies, history plays, and poetry - has endured for over four centuries and continues to be performed and studied around the globe. Shakespeare was a member of the acting company known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later renamed The King's Men, and wrote more than 30 plays across various genres. His most famous tragedies-Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear-delve into dark passions and complex moral dilemmas. His comedies, such as Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Twelfth Night, are rich in wit, irony, and social commentary. Shakespeare's influence on literature and the English language is immense. He coined countless words and expressions still in use today. His work has been translated into every major language and is performed more often than that of any other playwright. Shakespeare transformed Elizabethan theatre by infusing it with profound psychological and philosophical depth. His insights into the human condition have inspired writers, philosophers, psychoanalysts, and filmmakers alike. Plays like Hamlet have been interpreted through countless lenses - from existentialism to psychoanalysis - cementing his relevance in Western thought.